From hip-hop to samba to jazz to capoeira

February 2, 2011 at 4:14 pm

After months of rehearsal, a December dance performance, and extensive preparation, Beloit College student choreographers and dancers will showcase their work alongside faculty and guest choreographers at Chelonia, Beloit College’s annual spring dance exhibition.

Performances will be held tonight through Saturday (Feb. 5), at 8 p.m., with a matinee performance Sunday (Feb. 6) at 2 p.m. in the Neese Theatre. Tickets are $8.50 (senior citizens $5; students $4) and may be purchased from the Beloit College box office at ext. 2755.

Preparation for the performance began last August when students were invited to choreograph for the December Dance Workshops, Beloit College’s winter dance performance. Of the 17 pieces in December’s exhibition, eight were chosen for encore performances in Chelonia. These performances feature lighting design by Associate Professor of Theatrical Design Chuck Drury, as well as the opportunity to showcase student work alongside that of dance faculty members Chris Johnson, Gina T’ai, and Sarah Wolf, and guest choreographer Arturo German Hernandez de la Mesa.

Chelonia 2011 features a wide variety of dance styles, including a hip-hop inspired solo performance by senior Joey Hernandez’11, and a modern ensemble piece by junior Molly Steigerwald’12 which has been selected for an additional performance at the regional conference of the American College Dance Festival Association at St. Olaf College in March. Other dances highlight styles such as Samba, jazz, and even Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance form incorporating elements of martial arts and acrobatics.

All performances are cast entirely with Beloit college students and alumni, so come: see your friends, your faculty, and your fellow classmates as they take to the stage.